2008-09 Canada $15 Playing Card Money Set 4 x 1 oz Silver proof coin set 3.75 oz
contain 3.75 oz of pure silver combined
2008-09 Canada $15 Playing Card Money Set 4 x 1 oz Silver proof coin set
Coins weigh 31.56 grams of sterling Silver and contain 3.75 oz of pure silver combined
Coins / Bars are in Capsules & Include COA ONLY, No boxes or packaging
Playing Card Money Set
Many items have been used for money throughout human history, but arguably the most surprising are the playing cards which replaced coinage during the 17th and 18th centuries when it became scarce in the isolated colonyof New France.
This exciting new series showcases the fascinating history of "playing card money" with coins that feature a unique rectangular shape and combine colour and selective gold plating for the first time.
Four coins make up this set:
Jack of Hearts (2008)
Queen of Spades (2008)
Ten of Spades (2009)
King of Hearts (2009)
Jack of Hearts
The $15 Jack of Hearts coin is the first issue in the fascinating “Playing Card Money series”. The name G DE PARIS that appears across the bottom is likely the name of the original artist, while the name LAHIRE is believed to reflect the 15th-century custom of naming each jack after a famous figure, in this case one of Charles VII's generals. The inscription on the back of the card suggests the Jack of Hearts was valued at fifty livres.
In 17th-century New France, everything was in short supply - including coins. In a desperate move to keep his colony working, the governor issued playing cards bearing a written promise topay what was owed when the next shipment of coins arrived from France.
In 1729, authorities began using plain card stock, which circulated like modern bank notes, until New France fell to the British in 159—some 75 years after this unique form of money first appeared in 1685.
QUEEN OF SPADES
The $15 Queen of Spades coin is the second coin in the fascinating "Playing Card Money series”. The name G DE PARIS that appears at the bottom is likely the name of the original artist, while the name PALLAS is believed to have been inspired by the Greek goddess Athena or Joan of Arc. The inscription on the back of the card suggests the Queen of Spades was valued at one hundred livres.
Ten of Spades
There was a time when playing cards were valued like regular banknotes—and this Ten of Spades from 18th-century New France was one of them; it was also a clever way for authorities to keep their colony working despite chronic coin shortages.
Even more clever is how this intriguing coin preserves the playing card’s rectangular shape and is embellished with colour and selective gold plating along its edge—the first time these two stunning effects have been combined in this manner.
Another unique feature of this coin: its “missing” corners. They reflect the practice of clipping cards in order to produce lower denominations. Historians believe the Ten of Spades was valued at forty livres, but as a treasured part of your coin collection, you’ll consider it priceless.
King of Hearts
All hail the king! This rectangular coin featuring the King of Hearts is the final issue in this must-have series that opens a rare window on that era. Its single, right-side-up design is an authentic reproduction of playing cards prior to 1870. Few examples survived, making these first-ever rectangular coins important guardians of this captivating history.
In 17th-century New France, everything was in short supply - including coins. In a desperate move to keep his colony working, the governor issued playing cards bearing a written promise to pay what was owed when the next shipment of coins arrived from France.
In 1729, authorities began using plain card stock, which circulated like modern bank notes, until New France fell to the British in 1759—some 75 years after this unique form of money first appeared in 1685.
SPECIFICATIONS (per coin)
Year of Issue: 2008-2009
Minted By: Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)
Country of Issue: Canada
Legal Tender: Yes
Denomination: $15
Metal Element Purity: Silver AG .925
Weight: 31.56g
